Electric switch mechanism



8, 1942, y N. w. coFFEY 2,295,259

ELECTRIC SWITCH MECHANISM Sept. s, 1942.

N.v w. coFFr-:Y l

ELECTRIC SWITCH MECHANISM Filed Sept. 2, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 8, 1942 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to an electric switch mechanism and has relation more particularly to a mechanism of this kind especially designed and adapted for use with a lamp signal of the type comprised in my application for patent executed of even date herewith and which signal includes Slow, Right, Left, Stopf Back and taillight when the signal lamp is used at the rear of the car.

It is an object of the invention to provide a switch mechanism wherein the closing of the desired circuits is under control of the switch, gear shift and foot brake of the car, together with suitably operated members for closing the circuits for the Right and Leit signals.

The invention also has for an object to provide a switch mechanism of this kind including mechanically operated blades for closing the circuits for the Right and Left signals and wherein such mechanically operated means is of a character to allow for the closing of either of the circuits at a predetermined point in advance of the turn and to be latch-ed in such closed position until the car again travels straight ahead.

rIhe invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved electric switch mechanism whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

rI "he novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed. y

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is a view in top plan of a. switch mechanism constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 and of Figure 4;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view taken substantially on the same line as Figure 2 but showing Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating my n improved mechanism in electrical connection with a signal lamp; y

Figure 8 is an elevational view of the preferred type of signal lamp.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, C denotes a casing of desired configuration and dimensions and which is to be placed as desired upon the body of a car. The bottom wall I of the casing has disposed therethrough an insulated plug 2 through which are directed the several conductors .associated with the mechanism. The top of the casing C is closed by a cover or lid 3.

Within the casing C and resting upon the bottom wall thereof and arranged side by side are a series of spaced bridge members or supports 4, 5, 6, 'I and 8. These members are of suitable material non-conductive of electricity and the upper margin of each of these bridges or members has oppositely inclined portions a and b arranged on desired relative angularity.

The high portions of these bridges or members have secured to the op-posite faces thereof and extending from above the posts 9 with which are pivotally connected, as at Ill, the intermediate portions of the elongated switch blades I I, I2, I3, Iii, and I5 associated respectively with the bridges or members 4, 5, 6, "I and 8. These blades II, I2, I3, I and I5 have respectively the angularly related tail extensions I6, II, I8, I9 and 20. The angle of each of these tail pieces with respect to its blade is such that by contact of said tail piece with the rear inclined portion a of an associated bridge or member the upward swinging movement of the blade proper is limited. The contact of the blade proper with the upper margin b of a bridge or supporting member will, of course, limit the extent of upward swinging movement of the associated tail piece.

The blade Il when swung downwardly toward its bridge or supporting member 4 is received between the pairs of spring contacts 2|, 22, 23 and its tail piece I6 when in its lowered position engages between pairs of spring contacts 24, 25.

The blade I2 when in its lowered or closed position is received between the pairs of spring contacts 26, 21 and 28 and its tail piece I1 is received between the pairs of spring contacts 29, 3%. The blade I3 when in its lowered or closed position is received between the pairs of spring contacts 3i, 32 and 33 while its tail piece I8 when in lowered or closed position is received between the pairs of spring contacts 34, 35. The blade I4 when in its lowered or closed position is received between the pairs of spring contacts 35, 3T, 38 while its tail piece I9 when in lowered or closed position is received between the pairs of spring contacts 39, 40, The blade I5 when in its closed or lowered position is received between the pairs of spring contacts 4I, 42, 43 while its tail piece 2] when lowered or in closed position is received between the pairs of spring contacts 44, 45.

The contacts 23 and 24 are electrically connected by a conductor c and the contact 24 is electrically connected with the contact 29 by a conductor d. The contact 30 is electrically connected with the contact through a conductor e while the contact 34 is in electrical connection with the contact 39 through a conductor f. A Contact 48 is in electrical connection with a contact thru a conductor g. The contact 45 is in electrical connection through a conductor h with a suitable source E of electrical energy.

The contact 44 is in electrical connection with the contact 43` through a conductor i and the contact 43 is in electrical connection with the contact 38 through a conductor k. The contact 3S is in electrical connection with the contact 33 through a conductor m and the Contact 33 is in electrical connection with the contact 28 thru a conductor 1i. The contact' 25 is electrically connected with the contact SI through the conductor o and the contact 3| is in electrical connection with the contact 35 through the conductor p. The contact 35 is in connection with the contact 4| through a conductor s.

A signal lamp L is preferably of a type as comprised in my application for patent Serial No. 293,300, led on even date herewith and includes an illuminating element 46 for a taillight 4'|; an element 48 for a Slow signal 49; an element 50 for a Right signal 5|; an element 52 for a Leit signal 53; and element 54 for a Stop signal 55; and an element 55 for a Back signal 57.

The contact 2| has leading therefrom a conductor t comprised in the circuit for a tell tale signal 5S for the brake while the conductor o has leading therefrom a conductor 'u comprised in the circuit for the tell tale signal 58 for the entire system with which my switch mechanism may be employed.

Interposed between each of the several blades II, I2, I3, I4 and I5 and its associated bridge or supporting member 4, 5, E, 'I or 8 is expansible coil spring @Il of a tension suiiicient to throw the blade into its raised or open position and normally maintain the same in such position.

The wall GI of the casing adjacent to the outer ends of the several switch blades and at a point therebelow is provided with an inwardly disposed shelf 52 upon which is positioned a bumper 63 to absorb undue shock when a switch blade is moved inwardly or downwardly into closed position.

The Contact 22 is in electrical connection thru a conductor 84 with the element 48 for the Slow signal 49 and the contact 25 is in electrical connection thru a conductor S5 with the element 45 for the taillight 4l. The contact 2l is in electrical connection through a conductor 5S with the element 55 for the Back signal 5l. The contact 32 is in electrical connection through a conductor El' with the element 50 associated with the Right signal 5| and the contact 42 is in electrical connection through a conductor E8 with the element 52 for the Left signal 53. The Contact 3'! is in electrical connection through the conductor E9 with the element 54 for the Stop signal 55.

Carried by the cover or lid 3 and extending thereacross is a bracket plate l5. This bracket plate 'I0 above the blade II is Provided with an opening I through which has vertical sliding movement a plunger l2. This plunger I2 is slidably disposed through a similarly positioned opening in the cover or lid 3 so that the lower end of the plunger l2 has contact from above with the blade II.

This blade I I has operative connection with the operating mechanism for the foot brake so that when the brake is applied the plunger 'I2 will be forced downwardly to bring the blade I I into engagement with the contacts 2|, 22, 23 and to have the tail piece I6 free of the contacts E4 and The bracket Ill has a further opening 73 through which is slidably disposed a plunger 'I4 also working through the lid or cover member 3 for contact from above with the blade I2. This plunger 'I4 is adapted to be operated by the gear shift mechanism and as said mechanism s shifted or changed the plunger 'I4 is forced downwardly to move the blade I2 into engagement with the contacts 26, 27, 28 and to release the tail piece Il from the contacts 2B and 30. The bracket IU is also provided with adjacent openings 'I5 and l5 through which are slidably dispos-ed respectively the plungers 'I'I and 78. The plungers 'Il and I8 are positioned above the blade I3 and the plunger I'I is adapted to be forced downwardly upon operation of a suitable controlling member on the steering wheel of a car or otherwise placed to move the blade I3 into engagement with the contacts 3|, 32, 33 when it is desired to make operation the Right signal 5|. The plunger I8 is adapted to move downwardly when the steering wheel is operated to make a Right turn. As the plunger 'I8 moves downwardly a stop member I9 carried thereby contacts from above with a rock plate 8S. This rock plate 8O at one end is provided with an opening 8| through which is freely disposed a pin 82 fixed to the lid or cover member 3 and bridging the space between said lid or cover member 3 and a marginal portion of the bracket plate 7U. The opening 8| is of a size to readily allow the plate 89 to have up and down swinging movement. The end portion of the plate 88 having the opening 8| has bearing down thereon a coil spring 83 of desired tension encircling the pin 82 and interposed between said end portion of the plate Sil and the bracket plate l0. This plate extends inwardly of the lid or cover member 3 a desired distance andits inner end is provided with a depending arm S4 extending through a slot 85 in the cover or lid 3 and positioned above a rock arm 85. This rock arm 86 is carried by a shaft 8'! rotatably mounted within the upper portion of the casing C above the tail pieces IB, I1, I8, I9 and 20 adjacent their outer or free extremities and disposed in a direction transversely thereof.

This rock arm 86 constitutes an elongated side arm of a substantially U-shaped cradle, the intermediate or base portion 88 of which is positioned to the outer side of the shaft 8l. A second short arm 89 of the cradle is operatively engaged with the shaft 8l.

Extending along the base member 88 of the cradle and depending therefrom for a desired distance is a panel S0 of a material non-conductive of electricity. This panel 88 closely approaches the adjacent free extremities of the tail pieces I3, I4 and I5. Carried by this panel 98 and in alignment with the tail piece I8 is a downwardly and inwardly inclined cam plate 9|, the upper end of which providing a shoulder 92. As the blade I3 is forced downwardly by the plunger 11, the outer or free extremity of the tail piece I8 will contact with and ride by the cam plate 9| and engage from above with the shoulder 92 whereupon the blade I3 will be locked in its lowered or closed position with respect to the contacts 3 I, 32 and 33.

As the plunger 18 is caused to be moved downwardly or inwardly of the casing C as the steering wheel is turned to the right, the stop 19 will contact the rocker plate 89 and swing the same downwardly causing the arm 84 to contact the rock arm 86 and to press the same suiiiciently to bring the panel 99 away from the tail piece I9 a distance suicient to free the shoulder 92 from the tail piece I8. When the plunger 18 is in its lowered position it will maintain the blade I3 in its lowered or closed position until the steering wheels turn to bring the car to a straight ahead position whereupon the spring 69 associated with the blade I3 will throw the bla-de into its raised or open position.

In View of the foregoing it is believed to be apparent that the signal of a Right turn can be given at any distance in advance of the point of turning but upon completion of the turn the Right signal I will become ineffective.

The bracket plate 19 is also provided with the openings 93 and 94 through which are directed the plungers 95 and 96 which also pass through the lid or cover member 3 into the casing. These plungers 95 and 96 are above the blade I5 and the plunger 95 is adapted to move downwardly upon manipulation of a suitable operator upon the steering wheel or elsewhere within the bod?,7 of the car when it is desired to indicate a Leit turn. As this blade I5 moves into its lowered or closed position the free extremity of its tail piece 29 rides by a second cam plate 91 carried by the panel 99 to engage from above with the shoulder 95 provided at the top of the cam plate 91 whereby said blade I5 is hel-d in its lowered or closed position.

The plunger 96 is adapted to be moved downwardly or inwardly of the casing C when the steering wheel is moved to the left and during which movement this plunger 99 soacts with the rocker plate 89 in the same manner and for the same purpose as hereinafter set forth with respect to the plunger 18.

Intermediate the cam plates 9| and 91 the panel 99 carries a cam plate 99 extending a considerf.

able distance above the cam plates 9| and 91 as illustrated in Figures 2 and 5 of the drawings. This cam plate 99 is positioned in alignment with the rear or inner end of the tail piece I9 of the blade I4. The bracket plate 19 is provided with an opening |99 through which is slidably directed the plunger |9| also working through the lid or cover member 3 for contact from above with the blade I4. This plunger I9| is operatively engaged with the clutch mechanism so that as the clutch is released th-e plunger I9| will move downwardly or inwardly of the casing C and move the blade I4 into electrical connection with the contacts 36, 31 and 38 whereby the Slow signal 49 will become effective. It will be noted that if this clutch is released with either of the signals 5I or 53 in use, the contact of thc tail piece I9 of the blade I4 with the cam plate 99 will rock the panel 99 outwardly to release either of the tail pieces I8 or 29 which may be 75 resting upon its respective shoulder 92 or 98. Upon such release the spring `(i9 coacting with either of such blades I3 or I5 will throw such blade into its open or released position.

Without tracing the various circuits it is believed to be obvious from the foregoing description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, that various contact members are so connected with each other and the several switch blades have their tail pieces coacting therewith in a manner that the tell tale light 59 will burn at all times after the main switch |92 has been closed. It is also believed to be equally apparent that the various electrical connections are such as to maintain the lighting element 49 for the taillight 41 functioning except when either of the lighting elements 59 or is burning. With my improved switch the lighting element 46 for the taillight 41 will burn at all times just so long as the switch |92 is closed except when the signal 5I or 53 is being used. The main switch |92 may be as desired but is preferably of a type to be under control of the usual ignition key.

The means for shifting the several plungers forms no part of the present invention and for which reason a detailed description and illustration of such means is believed to be unnecessary.

The panel 99 is constantly urged toward the tail pieces I6, I1, I8 and I9 by the retractile spring |93 suitably connected, as at |94, with a bracket |95 carried by the adjacent wall I of the casing C and to the intermediate member 88.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that an electric switch mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modication without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. An electric switch mechanism comprising a normally closed casing including top, bottom and side walls, a support mounted within the lower portion of the casing, said support being of a material non-conductive of electricity, the upper margin 'of the support having its end portions oppositely inclined, a switch blade pivotally supported by and above the support, a tail piece extending i'rom the pivoted end portion of the blade and inclined with respect thereto, contacts carried by the opposite end portions of the support, contact of the tail piece with the adjacent inclined portion of the support limiting the movement of the blade away from one of the contacts with which the blade coacts, the tail piece when in engagement with the support being in connection with the contact member at the adjacent end portion of the support, an expansible member interposed between the support and the blade for normally maintaining the blade free of its contact or in open position, and a plunger above the blade and slidably disposed through the tcp wall of the casing, downward movement of the plunger forcing the blade into engagement with this contact and releasing the tail piece from its contact.

2. An electric switch mechanism comprising a normally closed casing including top, bottom and side walls, a support mounted within the lower portion of the casing, said support being of a material non-conductive of electricity, the upper margin of the support having its end portions oppositely inclined, a switch blade pivotally supported by and above the support, a tail piece eX- tending frcm the pivoted end portion of the blade and inclined with respect thereto, contacts carried by the opposite end portions of the support, contact of the tail piece with the adjacent inclined portion of the support limiting the movement of the blade away from one of the contacts with which the blade coacts, the tail piece when in engagement with the support being in connection with the contact member at the adjacent end portion of the support, an expansible member interposed between the support and the blade for normally maintaining the blade free of its Contact or in open position, a plunger above the blade and slidably disposed through the top wall of the casing, downward movement of the plunger 'forcing the blade into engagement with this contact and releasing the tail piece from its contact, an inwardly disposed shelf carried by a side wall of the casing below the outer portion of the blade, and a bumper mounted on the shelf to absorb undue shock when the switch blade is moved by the plunger into engagement with its contact.

3. An electric switch mechanism comprising a normally closed casing including top, bottom and side walls, a support mounted within the lower portion of the casing, said support being of a material non-conductive of electricity, the upper margin of the support having its end portions oppcsitely inclined, a switch blade pivotally supported by and above the support, a tail piece eX- tending from the pivoted end portion of the blade and inclined with respect thereto, contacts carried by the opposite end portions of the support, contact of the tail piece with the adjacent inclined portion of the support limiting the movement of the blade away from one of the contacts with which the blade coacts, the tail piece when in engagement with the support being in connection with the contact member at the adjacent end portion of the support, an expansible member interposed between the support and the blade for normally maintaining the blade free of its contact or in open position, a plunger above the blade and slidably disposed through the top wall of the casing, downward movement of the plunger forcing the blade into engagement with this contact and releasing the tail piece from its contact, a member within the casing outwardly of but in close proximity to the outer end of the tail piece, means for supporting said member for swinging movement toward or from the tail piece, and a cam face plate carried by the face of the swinging member opposed to the outer end of the tail piece, said cam plate providing a shoulder, the outer end of the tail piece contacting with and riding on said cam face when the switch blade is swung toward its contact, said swinging member, when the switch blade is in engagement with its contact, swinging in a direction to bring the shoulder of the cam plate below the tail piece to hold the switch blade against movement away from its contact.

4. An electric switch mechanism comprising a normally closed casing including top, bottom and side walls, a support mounted within the lower portion of the casing, said support being of a material non-conductive of electricity, the upper margin of the support having its end portions oppositely inclined, a switch blade pivotally supported by and above the support, a tail piece extending from the pivoted end portion of the blade and inclined with respect thereto, contacts carried by the opposite end portions of the support, Contact of the tail piece with the adjacent inclined portion of the support limiting the movement of the blade away from one of the contacts with which the blade coacts, the tail piece when in engagement with the support being in connection with the Contact member at the adiacent end portion of the support, an expansible member interposed between the support and the blade for normally maintaining the blade free of its contact or in open position, a plunger above the blade and slidably disposed through the top wall of the casing, downward movement of the plunger forcing the blade into engagement with this contact and releasing the tail piece from its Contact, a member within the casing outwardly of but in close proximity to the outer end of the tail piece, means for supporting said member for swinging movement toward or from the tail piece, a cam face plate carried by the face of the swinging member opposed to the outer end of the tail piece, said cam plate providing a shoulder, the outer end of the tail piece contacting with and riding on said cam face when the switch blade is swung toward its contact, said swinging member, when the switch blade is in engagement with its contact, swinging in a direction to bring the shoulder of the cam plate below the tail piece to hold the switch blade against movement away from its Contact, and means operating independently of the plunger for moving said swinging member to release the shoulder of the cam plate from the tail piece to permit the blade to return to its open position.

NEWTON W. COFFEY. 

